We had the good fortune of connecting with Nethra Gururaj and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nethra, why did you pursue a creative career?
I started dancing at a young age. Performing arts made me see a version of bliss. I understood early on that my communication was through a visual sense; both while projecting ideas and consuming knowledge.

My academic journey began with Science, as is the case for a lot of kids in India. This came in handy later on in my career, as I was able to understand the “how” behind my craft. I saw it as a vehicle to materialize my ideas in Filmmaking.

After working as a Cinematographer for two years in Los Angeles, in various narrative shorts, a feature film, music videos, and other visual content, I have been able to create my mosaic which has become a testament to my commitment to the craft.

The cherry on top is the reward which is brought to life on the silver screen, as I sit in gratitude for the opportunity to communicate to my audience.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Bharatanatyam has helped me in expressing meaning without dialogue. My face, body, persona, and stage presence are mere characters in a narrative effort. Much like in filmmaking; I strive for expression through composition, light, and camera movement in lieu of conversations and dialogue. Dance has set the standards for my craft.

Coming from a Tech and Business family, it was entirely on me to find my creative voice as I was navigating my way through the Indian immigrant experience when I moved to LA. I needed to adapt to a different audience landscape while ensuring I stayed truthful to my creative vision.

The costs involved with filmmaking, and the necessary business acumen that is required to manage a production are some of the challenges I had to overcome; and the end result was not always satisfactory on the screen. I have continued to be my own critique, and conditioned myself to be in an eternal pursuit of excellence through sheer practice and dedication.

In telling visually beautiful stories through films, I have found my calling. With my life-long commitment to Bharatanatyam and Filmmaking, I see success in telling my stories to a Global audience.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Sudhanva (my Partner) and I have been on a Museum kick lately. MOCA, The Broad, The Academy Museum, and LACMA are some of our favorites in LA! Looking at art and the exhibits in those museums is unexpectedly inspiring to Still-Art amateurs like us.

The Art Galleries in Santa Monica are a delight in warm summer Southern Califonian evenings. Some serve Wine too! Below are some of my non-obvious must do-s :

The Getty
Grand Central Market
The Last Bookstore
Solvang (It’s a drive)
Tulsi Indian Eatery

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
From the beginning of my career, I have been fortunate to have been brought up in a family that has instilled the importance of art in me. My parents enabled me to pursue what is considered an unconventional career path in India.

My collaborators, throughout my college and graduate education, and the friends I have made along the way, have been my ride-or-die crew, helping me piece my puzzles together. I have learnt, grown, and excelled by working with the people I have met in my Filmmaking journey so far.

Speaking of Family, I met my partner / Producer in 2020, who has since helped me develop agency to my art. My passion in Filmmaking manifests and is communicated through his business and marketing lens.

Website: https://nethragururaj.wixsite.com/nethra-films

Instagram: h2ps://www.instagram.com/nethraguru?igsh=MmVlMjlkMTBhMg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nethra-gururaj-b150a6172

Youtube: https://youtu.be/UeQLtxkuvrI?si=4GhwRrWKVABdDsvG

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13116222/

Image Credits
Siddharth Dixit Khush Patel John Soto

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